People skated on chained sleds on a frozen lake in Beijing on Sunday. Temperatures in China have plunged to their lowest in almost three decades, official media said. Since late November, the country has seen temperatures at an average of minus 3.8 degrees Celsius (25 F), 1.3 degrees colder than the previous average, and the chilliest in 28 years, state news agency Xinhua said.

People skated on chained sleds on a frozen lake in Beijing on Sunday. Temperatures in China have plunged to their lowest in almost three decades, official media said. Since late November, the country has seen temperatures at an average of minus 3.8 degrees Celsius (25 F), 1.3 degrees colder than the previous average, and the chilliest in 28 years, state news agency Xinhua said.

A man swam in the icy water of a frozen lake in the Houhai area of Beijing. Skating, fishing and ice-swimming are popular activities for city dwellers during the sub-zero temperatures of winter when most lakes and canals in the Chinese capital turn to ice.

A man swam in the icy water of a frozen lake in the Houhai area of Beijing. Skating, fishing and ice-swimming are popular activities for city dwellers during the sub-zero temperatures of winter when most lakes and canals in the Chinese capital turn to ice.